REFRESH Amy Flattery

Today's podcast begins a new series - The Lord Has A Purpose. Listen as Amy hosts a special friend, Rebecca Buys Hansen. She is one who, even in the midst pain, give God full authority to use her...not in spite of, not apart from, but BECAUSE of her suffering.

The episode of the burial of Jesus brings to light the depth of emotions and turmoil of his followers. We have the security of reflecting on these events as they occurred more than 2,000 years ago. But, to understand fully the impact of the death of Jesus, we can consider how the people of the moment were impacted, how they responded, and how Jesus brought comfort, healing, and restitution.

The final hours of the life of Jesus, prior to His death on the cross is the antithesis of every dark situation humankind endures. We, as God's kids, even at the moment when we are faced with destruction death, have the assurance that there will be victory in the situation. In Jesus we have found freedom from the effects of sin and death.
"…future generations will be told about the Lord.
They will proclaim his righteousness,
Declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it!"  Psalm 22:30-31

It is amazing that the act of humanity's perversion of “justice” through the death of Jesus brought about the greatest act of grace and mercy for those who believe. What was done in secret, what took place in the dark, was turned on its head to save humanity from sin and eternal suffering.

Judas' betrayal began in the form of greed, and grew to the ultimate betrayal, death.  This type of sin is all too common.  What may seem to be a sin beginning in greed has potential to set in motion devastating consequences. Jesus had a choice, he could have escaped if he chose to. He was at a crossroad. Yet, the actions of others, even those who loved Him, did not deter Him from doing the will of God set out before Him.

"And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people sought to destroy him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people hung upon his words" (Luke 19:47,48).